Ergonomic mouse pad

ABSTRACT

The invention is meant to be used on the thigh above the knee. The innovative idea is a concave bottom (FIG. 2 a), which corresponds to the shape of the thigh and a flat surface (FIG. 2 b). Thus, the upper limb can rest on the thigh. In addition, the wrist is more solidly placed in this work position. The upper limb stays better in its position. There is no need to make an unnecessary movement with it or flex it. The upper limb acts as a weight to the ergonomic mouse pad.

The ergonomic mouse pad is applicable in any work with a micro computeror terminal work station requiring the use of the mouse.

At present the mouse is commonly used on a desk. It is used directly ona desk or on a pad kept on the desk. The pad is flat on both sides. Itoccupies space on the desk and causes the user of the mouse to leanforward which, in turn, brings the monitor screen too close. Inaddition, the muscles in the shoulder region have to support the arm andthe tendons of the lower arm and the wrist might become inflamed. Usingthe mouse on the desk places stress on the extensors of the indexfinger.

Another commonly used way is to attach the mouse firmly to the computer,the keyboard or in a close vicinity to the hardware (this is referred toas ball mouse). This causes, as before, the user to lean forward and, inturn, brings the screen too close. Therefore, the muscles in the shouldregion have to support the arm and the tendons of the lower arm and thewrist might be inflamed. Depending on its position on the keyboard, theball mouse also causes undue stress on the wrist muscles and theextensors of the index finger.

The ergonomic mouse pad is different from the flat mouse pad in that itis kept on the knee and that the bottom of it is concave. The new padenables the user to use arms ergonomically. Man usually hangs his arms,which is a natural position. The position does not cause stress on hislimbs or make him support his arms unconsciously. Near the body the armis closer to its ergonomic position. The ergonomic pad enables to avoidundue stress on the arm and upper body. The sitting posture improves,too, as well as the bearing. In addition, the elbow joint can work in amore upright position. The ergonomic pad enables the person using themouse to make better use of the back rest of the chair. Furthermore,thanks to the invention, it is easier to sit in an appropriate distancefrom the screen. Finally, the ergonomic pad clears space on the desk.The invention also meets what is state in the 1. clause of the patentcriteria.

Next, the invention is explained with the help of figures.

FIG. 1 shows the position of the ergonomic mouse pad, on the thigh abovethe knee.

FIG. 2 shows the ergonomic mouse pad as a perspective figure in which

a) shows the concave shape from below.

b) shows the flat surface from above.

c) shows the elevated edge in the back and the corners.

d) shows the wrist rest in the front.

e) shows the high friction material of the concave bottom.

The ergonomic mouse pad is meant to use on the thigh above the knee(FIG. 1). The innovative idea is the concave bottom (FIG. 2a), whichcorresponds to the shape of the thigh and the flat surface (FIG. 2b).Thus, the arm can rest on the thigh. This enables the wrist to have amore solid position, too. In addition, the upper limb stays better inthe position. There is no need to make an unnecessary movement with itor flex it. Moreover, the upper limb acts as a weight for the ergonomicmouse pad.

It is characteristic of the invention that the concave shape correspondsto the shape of the thigh above the knee. Thus, the mouse pad isconvenient to use and it stays firmly in place. It is essential of theinvention that the surface is flat (FIG. 2b). The surface may be e.g. asquare, circle or oval or polygon in shape. There is an elevated edge inthe back and the corners of the surface (FIG. 2c), which prevents themouse sliding away from the surface when not used. Anothercharacteristic of the ergonomic mouse pad is that its sides are sturdyenough (FIG. 2e). The concave bottom is against the thigh. The bottom ismade of soft material and the flat surface is made of hard materialenabling the upper limb a flexible movement when the mouse is used. Yetanother characteristic is that the concave shape of the bottom againstthe thigh is made of high friction material (FIG. 2a). Another benefitof the invention is that there is an elevated, arched wrist rest in thefront (FIG. 2d).

The invention is applicable in all work with a computer requiring theuse of the mouse. This is not to curtail to use of the invention for thesaid purpose only but it is conceivable that there are many possibleapplications within the ramifications of the patent criteria concerningan inventive idea as follows.

I claim:
 1. A pad for use with a computer mouse and for positioning thepad on a thigh of a computer user, said pad comprising:first and secondopposed sides; an element having a substantially flat surface definingback, side and front portions and where said element is connected to andextends between said first and second opposed sides; said first andsecond opposed sides cooperating with each other and with said elementto define an open concave bottom for receiving only a single thigh of acomputer user; and a wrist rest extending from said front portion ofsaid flat surface.
 2. A pad as in claim 1 wherein said wrist restdefines an arched upper surface.
 3. A pad as in claim 1 wherein anelevated edge extends only part way along each of said side portions. 4.A pad as in claim 1 wherein said concave bottom is made of high frictionmaterial.
 5. A pad as in claim 1 wherein said first and second opposedsides are sturdy.
 6. A pad as in claim 1 wherein said concave bottom ismade of soft material and said flat surface is made of hard material. 7.A pad as in claim 1 further including an elevated edge extending fromsaid back and side portions of said flat surface for preventing slidingmovement of said mouse from said flat surface.